Page 2 of To Seduce A Rake
She rolled her eyes and turned on her heel to depart, not giving him the satisfaction of glancing back at him. No matter how much she might want to. Rebecca continued down the hall to the next room and hurried inside.
Maggie pointed towards the fresh water in the basin on a nearby table. “Why don’t you wash up, my lady? I shall ensure your things are brought up and ready to dress you for bed while you take supper in the dining room.”
“But what about you? Don’t you wish to join me?” Rebecca asked.
Her maid shook her head. “I am sure we are both quite tired. I’ll have my dinner brought to my room after I lay out your bedclothes.”
Rebecca gave her a small nod and then went about freshening herself from the day of travel. The cool water did little to ease the effect the scoundrel next door had on her, but at least she felt more presentable for dinner. Maggie re-pinned Rebecca’s hair, and then Rebecca glanced in the mirror before she departed from her chamber.
She hurried past the mysterious man’s door, passing Baxter carrying her small trunk along the way. Descending the staircase, she followed the noise until she reached the dining room.
Rebecca sat at one of the empty tables, glancing around the room to take in the surrounding people. Her parents had never allowed her to eat by herself at an inn before. There was a bar where a few men clanked tankards and laughed at something one of them had said. Several other tables had other patrons, who appeared to be from various classes, but she didn’t recognize any of them.
“Are ye wanting drink or supper?” a pretty blond barmaid asked.
Rebecca smiled at her, catching the gentlemen with the ale out of the corner of her eye. “Both. I’d like a tankard of ale and a hearty bowl of stew. With bread and butter, if you have it.”
She had been the proper miss who drank only sherry or champagne, and she was starting her new life on her own. She’d do whatever she desired. Her brother had let her try ale before, but it was a novel experience to drink a tankard at an inn where no one knew her and she could behave however she wished. Within reason, she supposed.
“Coming right up,” the woman said.
A man at the bar watched the maid as she walked away. Based on the way the woman grinned back at him, Rebecca wouldn’t be surprised if they had some sort of understanding. A notion she might have felt a pang of jealousy over.
A few minutes later, the barmaid set down the ale and the bowl of meat stew with bread, just as she’d asked. Rebecca drew a deep inhale, taking in the rich aroma, realizing how famished she was.
Picking up her spoon, she dipped it into the bowl and closed her lips around it, just as a figure plopped down in the chair across from her.
“Do you think it wise to dine on your own, Angel?”
